Namoi River

Namoi River
Theconfluenceof the Namoi andManillarivers, atManilla
Etymology	Aboriginal:1. derived from the name for a species ofacacia;2. derived fromngamu,theGamilaraayword for "breast"
Location
Country	Australia
State	New South Wales
Region	IBRA:New England Tablelands
District	Northern Tablelands,North West Slopes
Municipalities	Narrabri,Walgett,Gunnedah
Physical characteristics
Source	Moonbi Range,Great Dividing Range
• location	NearNiangala
• elevation	708 m (2,323 ft)
2nd source	Macdonald River
Source confluence	Boundary Creek
Mouth	Confluencewith theBarwon River
• location	NearWalgett
• elevation	130 m (430 ft)
Length	708 km (440 mi)
Basin size	43,000 km2(17,000 sq mi)
Discharge
• average	25 m3/s (880 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River system	Barwon River,Murray–Darling basin
Reservoirs	Lake Keepit,Baraneal Lagoon

TheNamoi River,a majorperennial riverthat is part of theBarwoncatchment of theMurray–Darling basin,is located in theNorthern TablelandsandNorth West Slopesdistricts ofNew South Wales,Australia.

The Namoi River rises on the western slopes of theMoonbi RangeandGreat Dividing Range,nearNiangala,at the convergence of theMacdonald Riverand Boundary Creek, and flows generally west, joined by twenty-seventributaries,including thePeel,ManillaandMookirivers, before reaching its confluence with theBarwon River,nearWalgett.

The Namoi River descends 578 metres (1,896 ft) over its 708 kilometres (440 mi)course;passing near the towns ofGunnedah,Boggabri,Narrabri,Wee Waaand Walgett. The flow of the river is impounded byLake Keepitand Baraneal Lagoon.

Course

A sand bar and the banks of the Namoi River nearCuttabri.

Bridge over the Namoi River,Manilla.

The headwaters of the Namoi, including the Macdonald River, the Peel River, theCockburn Riverand the Manilla River, rise on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range on the Northern Tablelands. Other smaller tributaries includeCobrabald River,Coxs Creek, Maules Creek, Mooki River and Bundock Creek. It rises east ofNiangalaand flows generally north west after its confluence with its major tributary, the Cobrabald River, then passes through the villages ofWoolbrookandBendemeer.It continues to flow westward to where it changes name to the Namoi River at Boundary Creek just east of where the river entersWarrabah National Park.

The Namoi flows past Manilla, where it is joined by the Manilla River. After passing into Keepit Dam it is joined by the Peel River before passing by Carroll, then joined by the Mooki River near Gunnedah on theLiverpool Plains.From here it flows north-westwards past Boggabri, Narrabri, Wee Waa andBurren Junctionand eventually joins the Barwon River, near the town of Walgett.

Keepit Dam near Gunnedah is an importantdamfor flood control and irrigation. The floodplains of the lower Namoi around Wee Waa are an important area for growingcottonwhich is irrigated using water from the dam.

History

The traditional custodians of the land surrounding the Namoi River are theAboriginalpeople of theKamilaroination. The wordnamoiornammoyis believed to be the native name for a species ofacacia;andngamuis aGamilaraayword for "breast".Alternative meanings of the name include Aboriginal words for "forked stick" and "meeting of the waters".

Allan Cunningham,a botanist-explorer, in 1827 became the first European to explore the Namoi River. Cunningham named this river "Mitchell" in honour of James Mitchell, the chief surgeon of Sydney Hospital, out of gratitude for his assistance with barometrical observations.

The Namoi River Road Bridge, which was built at Manilla in 1886, has been placed on theRegister of the National Estate.This bridge has eleven metal lattice truss spans and is one of the longest six or seven metal truss bridges completed in Australia by that time.

Fauna

The Namoi supports a wide range of fish and crustaceans, which includeMurray cod,yellowbelly,silver perch,catfish (Tandanus tandanus) as well as yabbies (Cherax destructor). "Crawbob" is a regional name and may be called a "yabby"elsewhere in the state.

Murray cod in the Namoi grow to a very large size, with fish of forty kilograms or larger being not uncommon.European carpand extensive irrigation practices have had adverse impact on the native fish population over the last forty years, and restocking programs have been undertaken, mainly by volunteers, to ensure the survival of the native fish population.

TheNamoi River snapping turtleor Bell's turtle (Elseya belli) is a species of turtle found only in the upper reaches of the Namoi River,Gwydirand Macdonald rivers on the North West Slopes.

Theplatypus(Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is found in this river and can often be seen around Warrabah National Park, east of Manilla.

See also

• Rivers of New South Wales
• List of rivers of Australia

External links

• "Namoi River catchment"(map).Office of Environment and Heritage.Government of New South Wales.
• Namoi region State of environment report 2008–2009